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Cognitive Dissonance and Pediatric Procedural Pain Management: A Concept Clarification
1College of Health and Human Services, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA.
Summary
Pediatric nurses underuse pain treatments due to cognitive dissonance, a mental conflict arising from the gap between their beliefs and actions. Addressing this conflict may improve pain management for children.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Pediatric nurses recognize pain management as crucial.
- Evidence shows underutilization of pediatric procedural pain treatments.
- Cognitive dissonance may explain the gap between nurses' stated importance of pain management and their actual practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify and develop the concept of cognitive dissonance.
- To explore its relationship to nurses' underutilization of pediatric procedural pain treatments.
- To present an extended definition of cognitive dissonance.
Main Methods:
- Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis framework was employed.
- A six-step process included concept identification, data collection, and analysis.
- Databases searched: CINAHL, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, ERIC, PubMed.
Main Results:
- Procedural pain management breaches may precede cognitive dissonance in nurses.
- Nurses experience mental conflict after a breach in pain management.
- Nurses may alter attitudes and cognitions to reduce this conflict and align with behavior.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive dissonance offers a framework for understanding nurses' behavior regarding pediatric procedural pain management.
- Addressing nurses' mental conflicts is key to improving pain treatment utilization.
- Further research can refine the understanding and application of cognitive dissonance in nursing practice.
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